An opening ceremony for the first RCEP foreign trade route of Toumen Port Area is held on July 11. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

A cargo ship from Indonesia departed from Toumen Port Area of Taizhou Port in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, after unloading on July 11. This marks the commencement of the port area's first RCEP foreign trade route.

Wang An, chairman of Zhejiang Xiehai Group, highlighted the route's significance. "With the route, it will take merely 10 days to transport cargoes between Toumen Port and Indonesia," said Wang.

From January to May this year, Taizhou's trade with RCEP countries amounted to 22.48 billion yuan ($3.09 billion). Trade to Indonesia alone totaled 1.47 billion yuan, accounting for 6.5 percent, underscoring the strategic importance of the new route.

Facilitating smoother exchanges with Southeast Asian partners, the route promises to fortify Taizhou's international trade network and catalyze economic growth.

Toumen Port Area, a linchpin in Taizhou's modern bay development, has been instrumental in expanding the city's maritime capabilities. Leveraging its strategic location and robust infrastructure, the port has emerged as a crucial hub for multimodal transportation, handling millions of tons of cargo annually.

The management committee of Taizhou Bay Economic and Technological Development Zone views the route's opening as a springboard for further international connectivity, planning to establish additional trade links with countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.